Chocolate & Peanut Butter, Protein Brownie

There has been a basic protein brownie recipe doing the rounds on Instagram for a few weeks now and it's perfect for those of us who struggle to get enough protein into our diets. Obviously, I couldn't just settle for the basic brownie recipe, I had to put my own spin on it so I added my favourite ingredient: Peanut butter; but not any peanut butter, it was chocolate peanut butter. Yes! A girls food heaven put into a cake. What more could you ask for?

This recipe takes about 5 minutes to prepare and cook, which is no time at all.

Chocolate & Peanut Butter, Protein Brownie

Ingredients

• 60g Protein Powder
• 20g Cocoa Powder 
• 30g Chocolate Peanut Butter ( you can use any flavour)
• 10g Self Rising Flour, or 1/4 tsp of Baking Powder
• 120ml Milk
• Sweetener 

NB: I find the sweetener makes the brownie a bit too sweet, especially as the protein powder is already sweet.

Instructions 

• Blend everything into a smooth paste, pour into an ovenproof dish and then cook on a medium heat in the microwave for 3 minutes, or until the bottom of the protein brownie is cooked. I find the bottom always takes the longest to cook so keep an eye on it and keep the heat low, or the protein brownie will dry out. 

You can serve this protein brownie on its own, or with whipped cream; ice cream; greek yogurt, homemade frozen yogurt -- the list is endless.

Chocolate & PB, Protein Brownie 

I served mine with 0% Greek yogurt and some dark chocolate shavings. Actual food heaven.

Give them a go! 

Spaghetti Squash; With Homemade Tomato Sauce & Chickpea Balls.

In the U.K we don't get this magical squash. I looked everywhere last Autumn to try and find this beauty but I failed and got some VERY strange looks in return when I asked -- I think they thought I was pulling their leg.

This Summer I decided to take matters into my own hands and I grew my own Spaghetti Squash. I worked really hard on maintaining my vegetable garden, every ounce of love went into it and by the beginning of Autumn I was eating my very first, HOMEGROWN Spaghetti Squash and I couldn't have been more proud of myself. I actually did it and I didn't give up when things got tough. For example; when the leaves developed mould -- I just pruned them off and carried on; or when the time the plants developed end rot -- I bought some calcium and ploughed on through. My first year of vegetable growing was very difficult, but it was also very rewarding too because I grew Spaghetti Squash -- Did I mention that already? I grew my very own Spaghetti Squash and it was delicious!

Spaghetti Squash 

When I finally got to cook my first Spaghetti Squash, this was the first dish I made -- Spaghetti Squash, with Homemade Tomato Sauce & Chickpea Balls. It was delicious and I'm not just saying that,  all the flavours went well together and the chickpea balls were delicious.

Spaghetti Squash, With Homemade Tomato Sauce & Chickpea Balls

Obviously since I'd never cooked a Spaghetti Squash before I didn't know how to cook it, so I did a quick Google search and was informed that I should cut it in half and place the squash downward on a baking tray and cook it for 30-40 minutes depending on how big it was. It worked and I had my first plate of Spaghetti Squash 'pasta'. I couldn't have been more excited if Peter Andre had been serving it to me. I was ecstatic.

Ingredients 

• Spaghetti Squash
• Carton of Chopped Tomatoes
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• White Onion
• Basil
• Garlic
• Can of Chickpeas
• Whole Egg, or Egg White.
• Cheddar
• Italian Seasoning
• Himalayan Salt
• Black Pepper
• Spray Oil
• Garlic

NB: You can use as many of the ingredients as you desire, depending on how many you are cooking for.

Instructions

• Cut the Spaghetti Squash in half and place downward on a baking tray, then cook on 200c for 35-40minutes depending on how big the squash is.
• Now place the chopped tomatoes; Garlic; Basil; ACV; and Onion in an oven dish and roast for the same amount of time as the Spaghetti Squash.

Chickpea Balls

• Blend the Chickpeas with the Italian seasoning; Cheddar; Salt; Pepper and Egg; or egg white. You can make the mixture smooth, or chunky it is up to you.
• Next mould the chickpea mixture into balls; spray a baking pan with low fat spray and bake the chickpea balls until they are golden. You could also fry these balls if you don't have room in your oven.

Now for the fun part...

• Use a fork and pull the Spaghetti Squash away from the rind and watch those spaghetti strands appear.
• Next, blend your sauce and top the Spaghetti Squash with as much as you desire, along with the Chickpea Balls.

Et Voila.. Spaghetti Squash, with Homemade Tomato Sauce & Chickpea Balls.

Enjoy!